Archived Truck spudders and dies, won't idel!!

[FATCAT]

Help,

It is something like the 20th sub-zero day in a row and today the truck started then sputtered then died.



I can restart it but must have my foot on the peddel and race it, but then it sputters again and drops rpms, then dies if I let off the peddel.



Looks like I'll be taking vacation days now ... . HELP. Is this some fuel selonoid? Fuel pump? She has been running pretty crappy the last few weeks, but figgured it has been this missirable sub-zero weather we have been having.

 

[paccool]

Sounds like fuel jelling. When was the last time you put fuel in the tank? Are you using an additive to help prevent jelling?



Stan

 

[FATCAT]

Last Fill up ...

Last fill up was Saturday 3/1 afternoon with some PowerService put in for good messure (but it was a Mobile statition that I don't usually go to). I have been using the PowerService all winter. I had about 175 miles on the current tank and yesterday it ran OK even when it was -11 in the morning and never got above 16 degrees out all day.



The truck has been running crappy most of the winter come to think of it, so that is why I believe it probably is the lift pump ... the P7100 just ain't getting the fuel it needs.

 

[dcamilleri]

When is the last time you changed your fuel filter? Also, check to make sure that your fuel heater is working. A dirty filter is magnified by fuel that is trying to form wax crystals. Also might try covering your grill to hold some heat in.

 

[FATCAT]

Well, the fuel filter was only two weeks old.



Found out the problem, bad fuel ... full of water and it was gelling, even with some Powerservice in it (probably should put a little more than a few ounces per tank).



The "Water in Fuel" light never came on though ... had it towed to a garage where it could sit inside and warm up. Then it bagan to work OK. (Stinks not having a garage of my own, no fun laying on ice and snow under the truck).



Had a new filter put in and had the screen cleaned.

Fueled up at a known good diesel supplier.



I had the truck plugged in all night ... and would have figured that keeping the block warm would have prevented the fuel from gelling, but I guess that the fuel was in such poor quality that it did not matter.



Thanks for the help.

 

[paccool]

Fatcat, glad to hear the problem is fixed and it turned out to be something fairly simple. The symptoms you gave sure sounded like gelling but after you said you were running an additive I was wondering if it was something else.



Ah well, a little more experience for you!



Stan

 

[dcamilleri]

Fat Cat,

Glad your fix was an easy one. I have learned that quality of fuel can't be taken for granted in cold weather. Most fuel additives claim that the fuel won't gell down to some tempature but that doesn't mean it won't wax. I live in north central WY and we had a rather mild Jan and once we got past the point when we usually get our -25 weather without any the local fuel dealers started changing their fuel blends for less severe weather. Then came the end of FEB and bingo -30f. Not good, my daughters 6. 2 quit running and I had to go replace the fuel filter, my cummins conversion wanted to quit running but I backed off the throttle and got by. I went to the truck stop to get some #1 fuel and the attendent told me it had been removed two days prior, so the best I could do was 60/40 blend with a healthy dose of rotella additive. When it gets that cold we need more #1 or these rigs won't run right. Always carry a spare fuel filter in winter!